Psalm 126

When Jehovah returned the captives to Zion,
We were as dreamers.  Our throats were filled with laughter,
Our mouths with shouts of joy. Among the heathen nations
It was said, “Jehovah has done great things for them.”
Indeed Jehovah has done great things for us.  We are glad.

Return our captives, Jehovah,
Like the valley streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
He who goes out to sow and weeps
While he draws out and scatters his seed
Will surely return rejoicing,
Carrying with him his sheaves of grain.

Psalm 125

Those who have faith in Jehovah
Are as sturdy as Mount Zion,
Which cannot be shaken or moved,
But which will remain forever.
As mountains surround Jerusalem,
Jehovah surrounds his people,
From this time until forevermore.

For the scepter of the wicked will not rule
Over the land allotted the righteous,
Lest the righteous be tempted to do wrong.

Jehovah, do good to the good,
To those who are upright in heart.
But those who turn to the crooked path,
Like the evildoers, Jehovah
Will banish.  Peace be to Israel!

Psalm 124

If Jehovah had not been on our side,
Let all Israel declare.
If Jehovah had not been on our side,
When people rose up against us.
When their anger flared against us,
They would have eaten us alive.
The flood waters would have engulfed us
A torrent would have overwhelmed us,
And raging waters swept us away.

Blessed be Jehovah,
Who has not let us be prey to their teeth.
From the snare of the fowlers
We have escaped like a bird.
The net is torn and we have broken free.

Our help is in the name of Jehovah,
Creator of the earth and the heaven.

Psalm 123

I lift up my eyes to you,
The one enthroned in heaven.
As the eyes of servants
Look to their master’s hand,
And the eyes of the maid
Look to her mistress’s hand,
So our eyes are fixed upon
Jehovah who is our god,
Until he shows us favor.

Have mercy upon us,
Jehovah, have mercy.
For we suffer a surfeit
Of contempt and disrespect.
We have endured our fill
Of scorn from the arrogant
And mocking from the haughty.

Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to Jehovah’s house.”
And now it is our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, constructed to be
A city compact and close-knit,
Where all the tribes of Israel,
The tribes of Jehovah’s people,
Go up to make a pilgrimage
To praise the name of Jehovah —
As the law of Israel demands.
For there are the thrones of judges,
The thrones of the House of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure!
May there be peace within your walls,
Prosperity in your palaces.”
Because of my family and friends
I will now say, “Peace be with you.”
Because of the house of Jehovah,
Our god, I seek all the best for you.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where will come one to help me?
The one to help me is Jehovah,
The creator of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip.
Your protector will not fall to sleep.
Indeed he who keeps Israel
Will never slumber or be drowsy.
Jehovah is your guardian,
Your protective shade beside you.
By day the sunlight will not harm you,
Nor by night, the rays of the moon.

Jehovah will guard you from all evil.
He will preserve your life.
He will protect you as you come and go,
Both now and forever.

Psalm 120

When I was in distress I cried out
To Jehovah, and he answered me.
Deliver me, O Jehovah,
From lips that lie and tongues that deceive.
What shall be done to you, lying tongue?
What shall be inflicted upon you?
Sharpened arrows from the warrior
And burning coals from the broom tree.

Woe is me that I live in Mesech,
That I dwell in the tents of Kedar,
Too long among those who hate peace.
I myself am in favor of peace,
But when I speak, they are for war.